Cats are known for their acute senses, including exceptional hearing. While this heightened sense of hearing is advantageous for hunting and survival in the wild, it can also make them more susceptible to noise sensitivity. Understanding the causes and how to manage noise sensitivity in cats is essential for their well-being.
Cats that are sensitive to noise
Sounds that are loud or fast can scare your cat. This can make life hard for both of you. Thunderstorms in the summer can be very scary, and unless you live in the middle of nowhere, you can't really avoid fireworks. There are some easy things you can do to make the whole thing easier on both of you, but you will need to get professional help to solve the problem.
Causes of Noise Sensitivity in Cats
Several factors can contribute to a cat's sensitivity to noise:
1. Genetics:
Some cats may be genetically predisposed to be more sensitive to loud or sudden noises.
2. Early Experiences:
Kittens exposed to traumatic or loud noises during their critical developmental stages may develop noise sensitivity as they grow older.
3. Previous Trauma:
Cats that have experienced a traumatic event associated with a loud noise, such as a car accident or a fall, may develop sensitivity as a result.
4. Age-Related Changes:
As cats age, their senses may become more sensitive, making them more prone to noise sensitivity.
5. Medical Conditions:
Some medical conditions, such as hyperthyroidism or cognitive dysfunction, can affect a cat's perception of and response to noise.
How often does noise get through?
Noise sensitivity is when you respond too strongly to sounds, usually sudden and loud sounds like thunder, fireworks, gunshots, and so on. For some people, sensitivity can show up as worry, fear, or a phobic reaction.
To figure out how scared an animal is, you have to look at its body language and how long it stays scared. A scared cat will have a faster heart rate, pant a lot, and may pee and defecate in the wrong places.
Fearful cats may cringe close to the ground with their ears flat against their heads and tails tucked under their bodies to try to make themselves look as small as possible. This is a protective stance that they use naturally. Animals may also act defensively aggressively. Whether they fly or run away relies on their genes, the environment, and how dangerous they think the threat is.
When cats are scared of loud noises or strange sounds, they may act in different ways depending on the cat. It's possible that the cat will stand in a scared way, with its hair standing up and its ears flattened back. Some cats will run away quickly to a safe place, like behind or under a piece of furniture.
There are cats that might get angry when their owners try to get them out from under the bed or where they're hiding. Most of the time, the aggression is aimed at another cat in the house.
Why does my cat look scared before the noise starts?
When someone has noise phobia, their fear is so strong that they react the same way every time there is even the tiniest sign of a problem, like in a panic attack, and they may even react even when the feared sound isn't there.
Fear signs show up as anxiety when you think about the noise. It's possible that your cat has learned to recognize the sounds that mean the noise is coming and will respond to them. For example, if the barometric pressure changes, it means a thunderstorm is coming. On the other hand, your cat may be constantly scared when it can't tell when the sound it fears will happen, like gunshots.
Why does my cat get scared of loud sounds?
In many cases, it's normal to feel scared. For example, if your cat has been scared once, maybe when it got caught outside during a storm, it may lose trust in its immediate surroundings and act in ways that are similar to people who are afraid of open areas (agrophobia).
Some cats are scared of noises while others seem to be almost bulletproof. This is usually because of where they lived when they were young. If a cat is raised in a noisy and stimulating environment (like the house) until it is 7 weeks old, it has been exposed to enough different types of stimuli to make it less likely to act scared as an adult, especially if it is then moved into an environment that is just as challenging.
Cats that are raised in a cattery or somewhere quiet and isolated and aren't taken home until they are 10 or 12 weeks old are more likely to be scared and nervous as adults because they haven't been exposed to enough different sounds. A phobia can start with just one exposure to a very strong stimulus, or it can develop over time as a result of repeated contact.
There are genetic factors that can make a cat more likely to act scared, but these cats would be scared of all kinds of things, not just sounds.
How should I deal with this?
If your cat is scared of sounds, you should know that how you react to them can make their behavior worse without you meaning to. If you punish the cat when it acts aggressively when it is scared in order to stop it from acting aggressively again, the cat may appear more violent in the future. If you try to ease and reassure the cat, on the other hand, it won't benefit in the long run because your actions may make the cat angry as it tries to hide. In general, it's better to let the cat hide in a small, dark space that seems safe. When the cat comes back, treat it with food, attention, or play to help it learn to get over its fear faster in the future.
If a cat doesn't feel safe in its own home, it might react more negatively to sounds. To make sure the cat feels safe, you can use raised platforms, little and often feeding, and a calming pheromone signal (like Feliway©) to make sure the cat feels at home. You should spend some time figuring out what sound scares the cat and then either confuse it or teach it to react differently.
Does my cat need any medicine to feel better?
Some cats with severe fears can only be helped in the short run by a short course of calming medicine from your vet. For best results, these medicines should be given to your pet before it gets upset, so you need to give them before the scary event. It is better for your pet to have taken the medicine on a false warning than to have to go through another traumatic event without the medicine. So give the medicine even if you aren't sure if the noise will happen or not. Talk to your doctor about any problems with medications, and only use treatment as directed by them.
How can I help my cat?
You should never punish your pet when they are scared. They will learn that the noise makes them feel bad, which will make them even more upset. Do your best not to bother your pet too much when they look scared. Just be yourself and praise them if you do the same, or try to be happy and fun and praise your pet when he joins in.
Don't pay attention to the noises outside. Do not calm or soothe your cat when it is scared, as this could make it act worse. Do what you normally would. There are times when you may need to play a game with your pet to keep it from noticing you.
The next time your pet has a problem, you might want to get skilled help. Your vet can put you in touch with an animal behaviorist who can help you train your pet not to be afraid again through desensitization treatment.
How does desensitizing and counter-conditioning treatment work?
You can teach your pet to be less scared of sudden loud noises by desensitization. When you counter-condition, you replace the fear reaction with a better feeling, like when you eat or play. The main idea behind desensitization is to expose your pet to the sounds in a place where he doesn't feel scared, and at first, at a volume that you can't even hear. When your cat is calm, you give it a treat. After they get used to this, the noise level is slowly raised until your cat feels comfortable with it. Because cats can be scared of noise, you should turn it down until they feel safe again.
In conclusion
That means your cat doesn't like hearing sounds, and it can be very upsetting for you. A lot of noise allergies get worse over time and won't go away unless you do something. Feeling scared can also make your pet more likely to act up in other ways. Get help right away while the thought is still fresh in your mind. The first person you should talk to is your vet, who may be able to send you to an animal behaviorist for more help.
